Warren, Logan Advance to NCAA Quarterfinals

Thursday, March 16

St. Louis, Mo.

11:00 AM CT

Michigan

NCAA Day 1

3/16/2000 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling

ST. LOUIS -- Led by Joe Warren (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Kentwood HS) and Damion Logan (Garfield, N.J./St. Joseph Regional HS), who advanced to the quarterfinals, the eighth-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team held its ground in ninth place (16 points) after the first day of the NCAA Championships on Thursday (March 16) at the Kiel Center.

Warren, seeded fourth at 133 pounds, wrestled strategically to a 2-0 victory over Oregon's Brian Watson in the first round of the tournament. The triumph was his 100th of Warren's career, placing him in the Michigan record books as the 17th member of the Wolverines' century club.

The senior was happy with the feat, but knew if he didn't continue winning it didn't matter much. "It wasn't one of my highest goals, but it is a honor being mentioned in the same company as my coaches," said Warren of head coach Joe McFarland and assistants Kirk Trost and Sean Bormet, who all won over 100 matches as U-M wrestlers. "But if I don't keep on winning it will be meaningless."

The day was still bright for Warren as he came back from a 9-2 deficit to defeat Mike Coyle of James Madison 15-12 during the second session to advanced to Friday's (March 17) quarterfinal round to face Hofstra's Roman Fleszar, the No. 5 seed. It marks the first time in three NCAA Championships appearances that Warren has advanced this far.

"I have a lot to work on tomorrow," said Warren. "I told myself before the tournament started that I couldn't look ahead to the next match. That is what happens every time I'm at nationals, but when I was down in the second round match I sucked it up and I won't take anyone for granted now."

Logan, the No. 6 seed at 141 pounds, made his way to the quarterfinal round by defeating Cornell's Benjamin New (11-7) in the first round and then pinning 11th seed Sonny Marchette of Iowa State 42 seconds into the match. The dominating effort by Logan was the third fastest fall in Michigan's history at the NCAA Championships. His next opponent will be Northwestern's Scott Schatzman, the No. 3 seed, who defeated Logan 6-4 in the semifinals of the Big Ten Championships (March 5).

"My coaches told me that he (Marchette) was good on his feet, but takedown for takedown he wasn't going to beat me," said Logan. "I came out hard and saw my opening for the pin. I feel real good about my chances for the title. I'm excited to wrestle Schatzman next."

The other five Maize and Blue grapplers lived to wrestle tomorrow by splitting their first-day matches. Boasting first career NCAA tournament wins were A.J. Grant (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston HS) at 125, Mike Kulczycki (North Royalton, Ohio/St. Edwards HS) at 149, Charles Martelli (Naperville, Ill./North HS) at 174 and heavyweight Matt Brink (Muskegon, Mich./Fruitport HS).

Andy Hrovat (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edwards HS), a 1999 All-American, will have to fight through the consolation rounds to return to his last year's status. The No. 8 seed at 184 pounds earned an 11-2 major decision over Northern Illinois' David Potter, but was upset in the second round by No. 9 Rob Rohn of Lehigh.

The Wolverines will return to the mat tomorrow (Friday, March 17) at 11 a.m. CST for quarterfinal and second-round consolation matches. The evening session, featuring the semifinals, begins at 6:30 p.m.

Top 10 Teams (After Day 1)

 1. Oklahoma State 38.00 2. Iowa 33.50 3. Iowa State 30.00 4. Minnesota 28.50 5. Oklahoma 25.00 6. Illinois 22.00 Michigan State 22.00 8. Lehigh 18.00 9. MICHIGAN 16.00 10. Edinboro 15.00 Penn 15.00 Wisconsin 15.00

Michigan Results (Day 1)

A.J. Grant (125)
First Round -- dec. Travis McCormack (Lock Haven), 4-2
Second Round -- tech. fall by #3 Leroy Vega (Minnesota), 20-4

#4 Joe Warren (133)
First Round -- dec. Brian Watson (Oregon), 2-0
Second Round -- dec. Mike Coyle (James Madison), 15-12

#6 Damion Logan (141)
First Round -- dec. Benjamin New (Cornell), 11-7
Second Round -- pinned #11 Sonny Marchette (Iowa State), 0:42

Mike Kulczycki (149)
First Round -- major dec. Jay McGuffin (Boise State), 13-4
Second Round -- dec. by #2 Adam Tirapelle (Illinois), 6-3

Charles Martelli (174)
First Round -- major dec. by #4 Ryan Cunningham (Central Michigan), 15-4
Consolations -- dec. Austin Palmer (VMI), 6-4

#8 Andy Hrovat (184)
First Round -- major dec. David Potter (Northern Illinois), 11-2
Second Round -- dec. by #9 Rob Rohn (Lehigh), 6-5

#12 Matt Brink (Hwt)
First Round -- dec. Ken Haines (Lock Haven), 8-1
Second Round -- dec. by #5 Bandele Adeniyi-Bada (Pennsylvania), 8-6

Contact: Jason Binge (734) 763-4423